13 Secrets Debt Collectors Won’t Tell You

What you need to know about the sneaky way debt collectors do their job.

They teach us that all debtors are compulsive liars

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No matter what you tell us, we’re supposed to keep pushing. So we ask, Can you borrow the money from friends and family? Can you take money out of your 401k? Can you pay it with another credit card? All horrible ideas that would make a good financial planner cringe. These are secrets financial advisors won't tell you for free.

Like us or not, we’re a vital part of keeping the cash flow going in this country

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In 2010, more than 10,000 collection agencies collected over $8 billion. Can you imagine the impact on the economy—and on all the companies that were owed money—if that $8 billion hadn’t been collected?

We’ve heard every tale of woe

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We may listen and act sympathetic, but in our notes, all those excuses are summed up as HLS, for “hard-luck story.” You’re wasting our time, and time is money.

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The more money I get out of you, the bigger my bonus will be

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Every month, we watch top performers get bonus checks of $10,000 or more.

We also have an astounding power to wipe out thousands of dollars of your debt

A lot of agencies buy debt for pennies on the dollar

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Always start your settlement offer low, maybe 25 cents on the dollar. Say something like “I have $200 that I can apply toward this debt. Will you accept that as payment in full?” If I say no, ask what I’m willing to accept as a settlement and negotiate from there.

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Sometimes when we’re negotiating, I’ll say I have to get a manager involved

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Then I’ll have another collector be the “bad cop.” The theory is that just having another voice on the line will open up your wallet.

Always check whether the debt has passed the statute of limitations in your state

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See a list at creditcards.com. If it has, we can’t sue you or put it in your credit report. However, if you make any kind of payment or even acknowledge the debt, that usually starts the clock over.

If you decide to settle, I am trained to “take your application”

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In a bored voice, I ask for your cell number, your spouse’s work phone, and so on, as if I’m filling out a form. But it’s just a way to get the information we need to find you in case the settlement falls through.

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We love calling you at work

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It's because of the extra pressure it puts on you. If you specifically ask us not to, by law we have to stop, but we’re not going to tell you that.

Don’t ask for a manager

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He or she will not help you. You’re better off just calling back and getting another collector on the line.

Many times when we leave a message on your phone, it’s just a recording of a made-up person

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Our office uses the name Jim Taylor. When you call back and ask for him, we say he’s out to lunch and offer to help you instead.

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Don't let me threaten to have you arrested, use profanity, or call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

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If I do, report me to your state attorney general's office (naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov). Those are violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Sources: Fred Williams, who worked as a debt collector for three months to write Fight Back Against Unfair Debt Collection Practices (FT Press, $21.99); Michelle Dunn, former owner of a debt-collection agency and author of The Guide to Getting Paid (Wiley, $24.95); and debt collectors in Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.